Writing for the reader
2-day Workshop outline
This is a sample outline only. We tailor each workshop to meet the needs of clients.
2 presenters will facilitate the workshop.
Online adaptable
We have adapted this workshop to run online in shorter sessions over several days, please contact us for details.
Objectives
Understand how to write clearly and concisely, applying plain English principles
Be able to identify your readers and their needs
Develop some skills in writing well to meet both your readers’ needs and your objectives
Preparation
We liaise with participants about venue details and other related arrangements.
We email each workshop participant in advance asking them what aspect(s) of writing they would like to be better at, and requesting a recent or current (work in progress) sample of their writing.
Evaluation
Reaction based
We give you a feedback sheet to fill out at the end of workshop. We collate the results (we don’t edit them) and return them to the commissioning organisation.
Learning
We assess your learning on an individual basis throughout the workshop and give both oral and written feedback.
Behavioural
We give you individual feedback as you practise the skills in the workshop. We also provide individual feedback forms.
WRITING SCIENCE
Program outline
Day 1
Start
Introduction, objectives of workshop
The elements of good and bad writing
Discussion
Short exercises
Executive panel discussion
What do your executives need? What do you need to do differently?
Identifying readers and messages
The principles of message design
Lunch
Exercise (readers and messages continued)
Structuring your document
Characteristics of different formats (summary, policy brief, fact sheet, feature story, media release)
Choosing the format
Selecting and arranging the content
Exercise – write a summary
Recap on Day 1
Close
Day 2
Start
Recap on Day 1
Writing in plain English
What plain English is and isn’t
4 sentence-level techniques that will bring your writing to life
Short exercises
Policy panel discussion or Writing journal articles
Lunch
Injecting the right tone
Exercise
Using headings and sub-headings
Exercise
Being concise
Exercises
Editing / reviewing your work
Q & A
Recap on the 2 days
Evaluation of workshop